I have a '95 E320 and the vinyl covering on the front door panel is coming up where it wraps around the edge into the door map pockets. I'm surprised that there is such a small amount of material that wraps around this edge. Was the vinyl originally glued on? If I need to re-glue it, what would be the best adhesive to use? Like I said, there is only a small amount of material that actually wraps around the edge, and the vinyl is fairly thick, so the adhesive has to be pretty good if it's re-glued. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Use 3M "hood pad" adhesive and some of those clips used for holding together stacks of paper. (black metal with silver arms) Glue, clip, let sit for 24 hrs and you should be good to go. Just be careful not to get the 3M adhesive on anything but the target spots. If you get the spray you will want to spray some and use something sacrificial to paint it on the back of the vinyl.

Hope this helps...Lee

I have the same necessary repair but have not been able to find the hood pad adhesive as of yet.
Is that the actual name and do you know what stores might carry the product.
Thanks in advance.

Seavey:

The "hood pad adhesive" is actualy a 3M product, either #77 or #99. Check out automotive suppliers, in your yellow pages, and get a spray can. It comes in black aerosol cans.

Alternatively, you can also use Permatex BLACK rubber adhesive, which comes in tubes, is black, and should be used like all rubber adhesives - coat both pieces, wait until they are tacky, and then place together in the desired position, and rub to bond. Be careful in placing together, for it will bond immediately, like contact cement......Andras

Contact cement is a very good adhesive too. Brush it on, let it dry a bit till it's tacky and assemble. It's very strong. You have to get the regular contact cement though (cheapest one). Use in a very well ventilated area.

If you get lucky enough to get a hold of some Carbolene Glue (often sold as "Neoprene Adhesive") without paying an arm and a leg for it...it will do the trick and also be useful for all sorts of projects for the next 20-30 years. It is basically the liquid form of the stuff in the 3M spray...and one qt of it will last forever.

I used it to fix all the peeled Tex trim on my doors, and would have used it on my hood pad, but the 3M spray (high temp) was more convenient to spray.



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John J. Meadows
'85 190E 2.3L 96k mi.
My first M-B, not my last.